April 17, 2000
Wade and others from BGCT meet
with SBC leadership in Fort Worth
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___FORT WORTH--Key leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and Baptist General Convention of Texas met April 6 on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
___But, according to an agreement reached by all the participants, they're saying very littleabout their discussions.
BGCT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Charles Wade preaches in chapel at Southwestern Seminary April 6. (Photo by Bryan Murley/SWBTS)
___The only official word about the meeting is a brief statement released by Southwestern Seminary President Ken Hemphill and affirmed by BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade.
___It states: "Participants said the informal luncheon was a friendly and helpful conversation concerning ways the conventions can continue to work together in kingdom causes. While acknowledging that there are concerns which continue to be studied, participants said it was the sort of conversation that can lead to a new level of trust and partnership."
___Relationships between the Texas convention and the SBC have been strained in recent years. The SBC has turned theologically and politically to the right during the past two decades. The BGCT, which leaders say already was biblically conservative and representative of traditional Baptist positions, has declined to follow the national convention's lead.
___The Fort Worth meeting apparently was prompted by SBC leaders, who learned Wade was scheduled to preach in the seminary's chapel service that morning. Hemphill reportedly asked Wade to meet with a group representing SBC concerns. The size of the meeting grew until the night before.
___In addition to Hemphill, SBC representatives included Morris Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee; Jimmy Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources; Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and a member of the Executive Committee; O.S. Hawkins, president of the Annuity Board; Don Kammerdiener, executive vice president of the International Mission Board; Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Randy Singer, executive vice president of the North American Mission Board.
___In addition to Wade, BGCT representatives included Jim Denison, chairman of a BGCT committee studying missions-sending agencies and pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas; Clyde Glazener, BGCT president and pastor of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth; Dick Maples, BGCT associate executive director; Bernie Spooner, BGCT Bible study/discipleship division director; and Phil Strickland, director of the BGCT Christian Life Commission.
___Participants characterized the meeting as cordial.
___"It was a good meeting," said Draper, a longtime Texas Baptist pastor before he took the helm of LifeWay in Nashville, Tenn. "Any time we can communicate and talk together, that's good.
___"The meeting was polite. There was not any hostility or anger. We were able to surface some things that will give us a foundation for discussion in the future."
___Wade affirmed the BGCT's intention to work with groups, such as the SBC, that will reciprocate goodwill, Draper added, expressing a hope for future cooperation built on relationships.
___"There was a time when everybody trusted everybody," Draper noted. "Unfortunately, we're in a time when there's little trust. Building relationships is how you restore trust."
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